Sensors 2016, 16(4), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/s16040511
Contact Pressure Level Indication Using Stepped Output Tactile Sensors
Eunsuk Choi 1
, Onejae Sul 2, Juyoung Kim 1, Kyumin Kim 1, Jong-Seok Kim 1, Dae-Yong Kwon 1, Byong-Deok Choi 1 and Seung-Beck Lee 1,2,*
, Onejae Sul 2, Juyoung Kim 1, Kyumin Kim 1, Jong-Seok Kim 1, Dae-Yong Kwon 1, Byong-Deok Choi 1 and Seung-Beck Lee 1,2,*
1
Department of Electronic Engineering, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea
2
Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-791, Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Vittorio M. N. Passaro
Received: 29 February 2016 / Revised: 2 April 2016 / Accepted: 4 April 2016 / Published: 9 April 2016
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
Abstract
In this article, we report on a novel diaphragm-type tactile pressure sensor that produces stepwise output currents depending on varying low contact pressures. When contact pressures are applied to the stepped output tactile sensor (SOTS), the sensor’s suspended diaphragm makes contact with the substrate, which completes a circuit by connecting resistive current paths. Then the contact area, and therefore the number of current paths, would determine the stepped output current produced. This mechanism allows SOTS to have high signal-to-noise ratio (>20 dB) in the 3–500 Hz frequency range at contact pressures below 15 kPa. Moreover, since the sensor’s operation does not depend on a material’s pressure-dependent electrical properties, the SOTS is able to demonstrate high reproducibility and reliability. By forming a 4 × 4 array of SOTS with a surface bump structure, we demonstrated shear sensing as well as surface (1 × 1 cm2) pressure mapping capabilities. View Full-TextKeywords:
tactile sensor; tactile sensor array; spatially digitized electrode; stepped output characteristics
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MDPI and ACS Style
Choi, E.; Sul, O.; Kim, J.; Kim, K.; Kim, J.-S.; Kwon, D.-Y.; Choi, B.-D.; Lee, S.-B. Contact Pressure Level Indication Using Stepped Output Tactile Sensors. Sensors 2016, 16, 511.
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